Four Maine Businesses Recognized for Workplace Safety

*Pleasant River Lumber, Community Living Association, Artisan Boatworks and Yachting Solutions receive SHARP certification*
Augusta, Maine - Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette announced that four businesses have earned the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program Award (SHARP), bringing Maine's total SHARP worksites to 66.

Pleasant River Lumber in West Enfield, Community Living Association (Green Center) in Houlton, Artisan Boatworks in Rockport and Yachting Solutions in Rockland have voluntarily undertaken a rigorous safety achievement program. Their acceptance into SHARP by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes these businesses as models for worksite safety and health standards.

"Employers earn SHARP recognition by operating their facility under strict safety and health management standards," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "We congratulate these four worksites for earning SHARP certification. They demonstrate to their industry peers that making safety a priority pays off for everyone."

Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette stated, "SHARP companies know that a safer facility is not only good for Maine workers, but also good for their businesses. Better safety means less lost time due to injury and illness as well as lower workers' comp costs."

To qualify for SHARP, companies must undergo a comprehensive audit, correct all hazards identified during an onsite health and safety consultation, demonstrate that effective safety and health programs are in place and maintain injury rates below the industry average for the last year of completed data. After awarding the SHARP designation, OSHA removes the worksite from its general scheduled inspection list for two years. If the company continues to meet all conditions of the program, the SHARP designation may be renewed for another two years. Fewer than 2,000 worksites in the United States have earned SHARP certification.

Employers interested in learning more about the SHARP designation should contact SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or http://www.safetyworksmaine.com . SafetyWorks! provides a trained consultant with industry-specific expertise who will review the facility by appointment. The consultation may include such elements as recognizing safety hazards, sampling for air and noise exposures, recommending ways to reduce or to eliminate hazards, developing or improving a safety program, complying with federal OSHA regulations and identifying training needs.

SafetyWorks! is not OSHA and cannot issue fines or citations to private businesses. While SafetyWorks! helps businesses of any size, priority is given to small businesses. The program trains about 8,000 people and consults at nearly 1,000 worksites in Maine each year.